by USA TODAY

by USA TODAY

There's more to celebrating Christmas than caroling and trimming a tree. How about going on a pub crawl, racing down the street with a bed or communing with a killer whale? "There are so many unique ways to find the Christmas spirit," says Monica Mays, who runs Jinglebelljunction.com and other yuletide-themed websites. She shares favorite locations and celebrations with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY.

Dickens on the Strand

Galveston, Texas

This island city plays up its historic district with a weekend festival Dec. 1-2. This year, it marks Charles Dickens' 200th birthday with bed races and a group Victorian wedding and vow renewal. The celebration includes hundreds of costumed entertainers and vendors. "It's a whole weekend of people in Victorian clothing celebrating the holiday," Mays says. galvestonhistory.org

Festival of Trees

Timonium, Md.

You can shop for Christmas decorations and salute the season at this huge holiday celebration Thanksgiving weekend at the Maryland State Fairgrounds near Baltimore. It includes a fairyland forest with more than 600 decorated trees, wreaths and gingerbread houses, all for sale. There also is a Harry Potter house, a toy train garden, holiday craft shopping and entertainment. Proceeds benefit the Kennedy Krieger Institute, which serves children with brain and spinal cord injuries. 443-923-7300; festivaloftrees.kennedykrieger.org

Santa Claus, Ind.

The name of this southern Indiana city says it all. "It's a town that is dedicated to Christmas all year long," Mays says. Visitors come for sweets at Santa's Candy Castle, exhibits at a Santa Claus museum, boutique shopping and even Santa Claus training, where wannabe St. Nicks learn their ho-ho-hos. Special December events include a 1.2-mile drive-through light display and a craft show. 888-444-9252; santaclausind.com

SeaWorld

San Diego

You're guaranteed a white Christmas at this Southern California theme park, where visitors can breakfast with Shamu and Santa. The park's SnowWorld puts visitors in a 6,500- square-foot indoor winter wonderland. "It's a giant room where kids can play," Mays says. Other highlights: live reindeer and a special 4-D Polar Express show. Similar activities are offered at SeaWorld's San Antonio and Orlando parks. 800-257-4268; seaworldparks.com

The Inn at Christmas Place

Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

Every day is Christmas at this holiday-themed hotel in the Smoky Mountains. A singing Santa gives twice-weekly concerts from summer through December, and guests can check out holiday movies to watch in their rooms. "It's beautiful," Mays says. "It looks like an old-fashioned castle from Bavaria." If you need to stock up on holiday decorations, head across the street to the Incredible Christmas Place store and its tens of thousands of holiday accessories. 888-465-9644; www.innatchristmasplace.com

Reno Santa pub crawl

Reno

Best to leave the kids at home for this holiday event. After all, it would be hard to explain 6,000 Santas and Christmas-costumed drinkers roaming the city on a bar crawl. The annual celebration, which falls on Dec. 15 this year, is open to anyone over 21. It culminates with caroling at midnight. "This is for Mom and Dad's night out," Mays says. "It's a nice bit of naughty fun." renosantacrawl.com

Silver Dollar City

Branson, Mo.

Christmas gets a razzle-dazzle makeover at this theme park with 4 million lights and 1,000 decorated trees, including one that's five stories tall and wired for special effects. Mays particularly likes the Christmas parade that runs twice every evening. "It's just awesome. They go all out," she says. "You can't overdo Christmas." 800-475-9370; festivals.bransonsilverdollarcity.com

A Christmas Story House

Cleveland

Ralphie's home is perfectly preserved in this homage to the 1983 holiday film that's now a cult classic. "People love this movie," Mays says. The house used for the filming has been decorated to match the original set, and a museum includes costumes, props and memorabilia. A gift shop offers movie tie-in items such as leg lamps and Red Ryder BB guns. 216-298-4919; achristmasstoryhouse.com

Woodstock Winter Wassail Weekend

Woodstock, Vt.

If you've never had wassail - a seasonal drink brewed with spiced apples and sugar - this is the place to try it. The hot beverage was traditionally served in England to singers during the winter solstice. Now it's a Christmas tradition. The festival, Dec. 7-9, includes a parade, concerts, performances and home tours. 802-457-3555; woodstockvt.com/wassail.php

Lawrence Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade

Lawrence, Kan.

Forget reindeer. This parade Dec. 1 features nothing but horses, most of them draft horses. Although the event started in 1993, it is inspired by the previous century. "It kind of brings out an old-fashioned Christmas. You don't see much of that anymore," Mays says. 785-856-3040; lawrencechristmasparade.org